Six hurt as bus hits rail bridge (BBC News)
 

Six people suffer minor injuries as a double-decker bus crashes into a railway bridge in west London.

More from BBC News...

Another instance of a road incident affecting the railway. No doubt there was some disruption to train traffic.
Richard

Will it result in the same sort of demands for a public inquiry as happens when there is an accident on the railway? I suppose all that will happen is the driver will get a few points on his licence and yet more passengers forced to transfer to the road while the bridge is examined some never to return to the rails.
John (G)

Was it Stan Buttler Driving it ?

Looks like another open top bus now for the sightseers

Along with the open top heads of the poor sods on the bus I should think.

Perhaps the railway company will get accused of lowering the bridge.
Paul.

Before we all blame the driver who or may not be at fault, it would be interesting to find out some more about why it was 'off route'. Many times as a driver I have been diverted 'off route' because of roadworks accidents and this country's general love of chaos and crazy planning. Whilst ultimately it is the drivers responsibility regards vehicle height, you have to have some feeling for the poor chap if sudden diversions, with a bus full of moaning passengers in traffic for forgetting himself. Another incitement against one-man-only operation methinks.

Or he could be a numpty!

Not to say anything about (First) bus drivers but I was on the 8 yesterday and it was on route.

....

That was the first time I'd ever been on an 8 that stayed on route for about 3 months, but nevertheless.

Usually they just make their own route up once they get near the city, or sometimes when they don't, today I was on the 51 and it just made up a completely random route for no apparent reason, when I asked the driver why he couldn't really explain what he was up too. Then he drove back onto the correct one. And I've been on the 8 trying to get home when the bus driver has somehow managed to convince himself he was on the 36 route and turn the wrong way completely, with myself having to remind him what he was doing since passengers just sit there and look worried rather than do anything these days.

I think they know it's me or something. >_>

Far too many people tend to jump to conclusion as to why these things happen and before the real reason is found by whatever means. They should learn to shut the **** up and leave it to those who DO know what they are talking about.
:mad:

I worked for a few Bus companies in the past. Often it happens that a single decker gets changed over for a double decker due to a breakdown. I have known drivers to pass under low bridges and skim the roof off when returning empty to the garage

As for the accident in question, As Bramleyman so rightly pointed out, we should reserve some of our comments till we know the true reason as to why this accident occurred.

Heck of a lot of work involved in the repair of these roofs too! 100's of rivits to be drilled out and replaced with the new sheets. I did 4 up in the midlands doe to Deckers being fired under low bridges accidently by part time drivers who normally drive single deck.

With the greatest of respect to my fellow forum members, I have read through all of the comments, my own included, and cannot really see that we have slighted the driver at all.
If my comments, flippant as they are, have annoyed any of you who are bus drivers then I am sorry. I feel we should be a bit slower in the forum to pick up on the negative side of what we write.
If someone has any nasty comments to make about people then I am the first to react. I really cannot see the problem over this one though chaps.
Paul.

Hi Paul, I am not sure if you're referring to my opening line about 'Before we all blame the driver...' regarding slights to the driver? I was referring to the general 'we' inclusive of the BBC article linked too, as well as here, and meant that the tone was perceived by me at least to be veering in the directing of 'driver error' before all the facts are known. I did not mean to pick up on any particular user of comment, I was being perhaps too general in my post!! I hope that has cleared up what I wrote anyway...if not I am getting confused and need a lie down, perhaps on the top deck.........:-)

No my friend, I was most certainly not picking up on your points at all.
I was simply stating what I believe is a noticeable trend in the forum towards "having a go" at fellow members comments.
I think if you read all the comments through, you may see what I am getting at.
If I have caused you any concern, I assure you it was'nt anything that you said in your particular comment. I just felt we sometimes pick up on the rather negative side of our comments.
Paul.